Diesel Exhaust Particulate Filter

ABSTRACT

A method and device for testing a diesel engine to determine whether the engine&#39;s diesel particulate filter is functioning properly is provided. The device comprises an elongated pole with a service ring disposed at one end. The service ring is designed to removably support a filtration means, which is composed of porous cloth material. The device is removably affixed over the outlet of a diesel engine exhaust pipe, allowing the filtration means to trap any particulates that may be contained within the engine exhaust. If the diesel engine particulate filter is functioning properly, there will be no particulates collected by the filtration means; if the diesel engine particulate filter is not functioning properly, the present invention allows the user to collect physical evidence of such.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/768,954 filed on Feb. 25, 2013, entitled “Diesel Particular Filter Field Test Kit.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to filtering devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices for testing diesel engine exhaust for particulates.

Diesel engines generate particulates, which are expelled from the engine via the exhaust, due to incomplete combustion of the diesel fuel. Such particulates cause harmful air pollution, thus all modern diesel engines are fitted with a diesel particulate filter to prevent these particulates from entering the atmosphere. However, if the diesel particulate filter is not functioning properly, whether due to over accumulation of particulates or other issues, then it may allow particulates to pass through into the surrounding atmosphere. If individuals' diesel particulate filters are not functioning properly, then they could be subject to fines and other punishments when an inspection is performed and may be causing unnecessary damage to the environment. Therefore, there is a need for a simple device that is capable of testing diesel engine exhaust for particulates in road-side or field test conditions so that preventative action can be taken to correct any potential issues with the diesel particulate filter.

Many different types of devices for measuring the efficiency of a diesel engine particulate filter are known in the prior art, including devices and methods that measure the pressure differential across a filter, that measure differential flow rate between two points, and that use terahertz radiation to determine the presence of molecules having a known spectral wavelength. None of these devices or methods are applicable to a road-side or field test scenario because they generally require highly specialized equipment. Many users, such as semi-truck drivers, do not have the time, expertise, or desire to utilize such technical means and do not require such highly exacting results.

The present invention provides a device for field testing the functionality of a diesel engine particulate filter. The present diesel exhaust particulate filter comprises an elongated pole with a first end and a second end. A rigid annular service ring is disposed at said first end and a handle is disposed at said second end. A filtration means, generally comprising an enclosed member having an open end that is composed of porous cloth material, is removably affixed to the service ring. In use, an individual slides the service ring over a diesel engine exhaust pipe, holding the filtration means in place. The porous material of the filtration means allows the gaseous components of the exhaust to flow therethrough, but traps any particulates that may be contained within the exhaust gas. After the user removes the present invention from the diesel engine exhaust pipe, he or she can then determine whether the diesel particulate filter is functioning properly by performing a visual inspection of the filtration means of the present invention. If the diesel particulate filter is functioning properly, then there will be no particulates visibly trapped within the filtration means; if the diesel particulate filter is not functioning properly, then particulates will be visible and the user can then take preventative action to prevent harm, or further harm, to the engine components.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to methods and devices for monitoring the performance of a diesel engine exhaust filter. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to means for measuring a pressure drop or the difference in flow rate across a filter. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

One such device is U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,130 to Schmidt, which discloses a method and a device for measuring exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine using a full-flow dilution method. Schmidt mixes the diesel engine exhaust with filtered dilution air and utilizes a means for sampling the resulting mixture to determine the emission levels of the exhaust gas. The present invention, conversely, utilizes a simpler, more direct method of capturing particulate emissions within the exhaust so that they can then be used for a visual inspection.

Another such device is U.S. Pat. No. 8,281,580 to Sun, which discloses a method and a device for monitoring a particulate filter comprising an inlet, an outlet, a porous substrate situated between the inlet and the outlet, and a means for measuring the level of particulates captured by the substrate determined by the difference between the mass flow rate of the exhaust gas flowing into the particulate filter and the mass flow rate of the exhaust gas flowing through the substrate to determine the efficiency of the filter being monitored. The present invention is designed to be used as a field test and does not measure the difference in the mass flow rate of the exhaust entering and exiting the filter. Instead, the present invention simply catches particulates contained within the exhaust exiting the diesel engine for a visual inspection.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,319,183 to Gunasekaran discloses a method of measuring and characterizing particulate filter accumulation using terahertz radiation, which excites different molecular species or substances at different spectral wavelengths, allowing one to determine the presence of a given substance having a known spectral wavelength. The present invention also discloses a method of measuring the efficiency of a particulate filter, however it comprises a net-like device that is removably affixed over the external exhaust end of a diesel engine to catch particulate material so that individuals can perform a visual inspection, not a device that utilizes radiation to excite molecules at various spectral wavelengths.

U.S. Published Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0242463 to Konstandopoulos discloses a particulate matter measuring apparatus comprising an auxiliary detection filter that measures the differential pressure between an inlet and an outlet. If particulate matter is allowed to accumulate on a filter, it increases the pressure within the system. Therefore, individuals can measure the level of particulate collection by measuring the differential pressure. The present invention does not measure the differential pressure between two points in order to measure the degree of accumulation of particulates on the filter, but rather simply catches particulates exiting the diesel exhaust system so that a visual field inspection may be performed.

U.S. Published Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0225488 to Silvis discloses a means for monitoring a vehicle's emissions in real time using a computer-based system. The present invention comprises an elongated pole having a solid annular ring disposed at one end, which is capable of removably supporting an exhaust filtering means over the outlet of a semi-truck dual stack exhaust to catch any particulates contained within the exhaust.

The present invention provides a device that can be used to field test diesel engine exhaust systems for semi-trucks. The present diesel exhaust particulate filter comprises an elongated pole having a rigid annular ring disposed at one end. An exhaust filtration means composed of material capable of filtering large particulates can be removably affixed to the annular ring. The annular ring, with the exhaust filtration means, is then place over the top of a stack diesel exhaust outlet and held in place, filtering large particulates from the exhaust as it passes through the exhaust filtration means. Users can then perform a visual inspection on the particulates to determine their number, size, and composition, among other factors. If needed, the exhaust filtration means can be easily removed and held in storage for later use.

It substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing diesel engine particulate filtration measuring devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of diesel exhaust particulate filters now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new diesel exhaust particulate filter wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when performing field tests to determine whether, and to what degree, particulates are contained within the diesel engines exhaust emissions.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved diesel exhaust particulate filter device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved diesel exhaust particulate filter device that can be used road-side or during other field test conditions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved diesel exhaust particulate filter device that has a removable filtration means so that the results of the test can be stored and documented for a later time.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved diesel exhaust particulate filter device that does not require any additional systems or objects to be installed within the native diesel engine exhaust system.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved diesel exhaust particulate filter device that is capable of collecting particulates from semi-truck dual exhaust outlets.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved diesel exhaust particulate filter device that can collect physical samples for later use.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved diesel exhaust particulate filter device that can be used to determine whether a diesel engine's particulate filter is functioning properly.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention, with a call out showing the filtration means affixed to the service ring.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention affixed to a semi-truck stack exhaust vent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the diesel exhaust particulate filter. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for performing field tests to determine whether a semi-truck diesel engine particle filter is functioning properly. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention. The present diesel exhaust particulate filter comprises an elongated pole 11 having a first end 31 and a second 32, a rigid, annular service ring 14 disposed at the first end 31, and a filtration means 12 removably affixed to the service ring 14. The elongated pole 11 is preferably composed of a rigid material so that users can more easily extend the present invention vertically and place the service ring 14 in position around the outlet of a diesel engine exhaust vent. The present invention preferably has a handle 16 disposed at the second end 32 of the elongated pole 11.

The service ring 14 is preferably composed of a weighted, rigid material to firmly hold the filtration means 12 in place over a diesel engine exhaust pipe when affixed thereto. The service ring 14 has a diameter and shape adapted to conform to, and removably slide over, the exterior edge of a diesel engine exhaust vent. The diameter of the present invention may be altered in order to conform to exhaust stacks of various sizes. For example, the diameter of the service ring 14 will be eight inches to conform to conventional semi-truck diesel engine exhaust stacks and twelve inches to conform to oversized semi-truck diesel engine exhaust stacks. The service ring 14 is preferably composed of heavy steel. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the service ring 17 is hingedly attached to the elongated pole 11, allowing users to affix the filtration means 12 over an exhaust pipe from a variety of angles.

The filtration means 12 is removably affixed to the service ring 14 via a securement means 15, which allows the filtration means 12 to be held in place over the diesel engine exhaust pipe and collect any particulates contained within the engine exhaust. The filtration means 12 comprises an enclosure having a single open end with a lip 13 defining the perimeter of the open end. The filtration means 12 consists of a porous cloth material having pores sized such that any particulates contained within the diesel engine exhaust gases are collected and held within the filtration means 12, but the rest of the diesel engine exhaust gas is permitted to flow therethrough. The porous cloth material may consist of cotton, polyester, a cotton-polyester blend, or any other cloth material comprising an interlocking network of fibers that allows gasses to pass therethrough, while also collecting particulates suspended within the gas. The securement means 15 preferably comprises a drawstring threadably inserted through the lip 13, allowing the filtration means 12 to be reversibly secured around the service ring 14, firmly holding it in place thereon. However, the securement means 15 may also consist of hook and loop fastener material, tabs that engage with the edge of the service ring 14, or any other reversible means for holding the filtration means 12 in place during use.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention affixed to a semi-truck stack exhaust vent. The present invention designed to affix to the outlet of a diesel truck engine to determine whether the diesel particulate filter is functioning properly. As depicted, the present invention is affixed over one of the exhaust stacks of a semi-truck dual stack exhaust system, however the present invention may be used with any appropriate type of diesel engine exhaust system. The service ring 14 of the present invention has a complimentary diameter to that of the exhaust pipe 51 so that it may be slid thereover, holding the filtration means 12 in place above the exhaust pipe 51 and allowing exhaust to flow through the filtration means 12. As depicted, the elongated pole 11 is preferably telescoping, allowing users to adjust the height of the device to accommodate diesel engine exhaust pipes 51 of various types, sizes, and orientations.

In use, an individual places a filtration means, which preferably comprises porous cloth material formed in a bag-like shape having an open end, over the service ring and then removably secures the filtration means in place using the securement means. The individual then extends the telescoping elongated pole to the necessary length and fits the service ring around the exterior of the diesel engine exhaust pipe, holding the filtration means in place over the exhaust pipe such that the exhaust gas blows through the material of the filtration means. The user should have the engine of the vehicle being tested revved to full capacity while the present invention is held in place to drive exhaust fumes out of the exhaust pipe and through the filtration means. The material of the filtration means is designed such that it is porous enough to allow the gas exhaust to flow therethrough, but the pores are small enough to capture particulates suspended within the exhaust gas. When the diesel particulate filter is functioning properly, there will be no particulates in the exhaust gas and therefore there will be no particulates captured by the filtration means. However, when the diesel particulate filter is not functioning properly, particulates will be trapped by the filtration means. These particulates can then be seen via a visual inspection. Once it can be determined whether or not there are particulates in the exhaust gas, the users can then make a determination about whether the diesel particulate filter is functioning properly. The user can then remove the present invention from the exhaust vent, remove the filtration means from the service ring, and then either take a picture of the filtration means or store the filtration means itself to keep a record of the physical result of the test. The present method and device allows users to test any diesel engine to determine whether the diesel particulate filter is functioning properly, regardless of the conditions or the age of the engine.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A diesel exhaust particulate filter, comprising: an elongated pole having a first end and a second end; a rigid annular service ring disposed at said first end; a filtration means having and open end; said filtration means removably affixed to said service ring by a securement means such that said open end is attached to said service ring; said filtration means comprising a porous cloth material; said porous cloth material having a pore size capable of capturing particulates suspended within diesel engine exhaust gas while still allowing non-particulate components of diesel engine exhaust gas to flow therethrough. 2) The diesel exhaust particulate filter of claim 1, wherein said porous cloth material is cotton. 3) The diesel exhaust particulate filter of claim 1, wherein said porous cloth material is polyester. 4) The diesel exhaust particulate filter of claim 1, wherein said porous cloth material is a cotton-polyester blend. 5) The diesel exhaust particulate filter of claim 1, wherein said securement means is a drawstring. 6) The diesel exhaust particulate filter of claim 1, further comprising a handle disposed at said second end. 7) The diesel exhaust particulate filter of claim 1, wherein said elongated pole is telescoping. 8) The diesel exhaust particulate filter of claim 1, wherein said service ring is composed of steel. 9) The diesel exhaust particulate filter of claim 8, wherein said weighted material is heavy steel. 10) A method of testing the functionality of a diesel engine particulate filter, comprising: placing an exhaust particulate filter comprised of a porous material having a pore size capable of capturing diesel particulates over a diesel engine exhaust pipe, said exhaust particulate filter being supported to a rigid annular service ring of an elongated pole; allowing diesel engine exhaust gas to flow through said exhaust particulate filter; revving said diesel engine to full capacity; holding said exhaust particulate filter in place over said diesel engine exhaust pipe; removing said diesel engine exhaust filter after a predetermined period of time; visually inspecting said diesel engine exhaust filter to determine the presence of particulates thereon. 